Thursday, February 16, 2012
...We will return to our program; after this commercial break!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Ten things more popular than Congress
After reporting today “futile talks” the Associated Press reported, “Congress' super committee conceded ignominious defeat Monday in its quest to conquer a government debt that stands at a staggering $15 trillion, unable to overcome deep and enduring political divisions over taxes and spending.” Congressional negotiators conceded the obvious: that the joint Congressional committee can’t fix our Nation’s Budget Troubles. At least not now. The stock market responded with a nearly 250 point drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, closing at 11,547.31.
So, we should not be surprised with a new CBS News Poll that reveals Congress' approval rating has hit an all-time low of 9 percent, the first time the rating has hit single digits since the polls' inception in 1977. This all begs an interesting question, “what does Congress now rank behind?” We have the answer from UPI.Com with the 10 things more popular than Congress, and some of these things may shock you!
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
First is the IRS, which posted a 40 percent approval rating in a 2009 Gallup poll.
President Richard Nixon
Former President Richard Nixon's approval rating during the Watergate scandal that eventually ended his presidency sat at 24 percent in a 1974 Gallup poll.
The U.S. becoming Communist
In the most shocking of all of the polled sentiments, more Americans approve of their country becoming a Communist nation than approve of Congress, at 11 percent.
The Airline Industry
Just this year, 29 percent of Americans approved of the airline industry in a Gallup poll.
Paris Hilton
At the peak of her fame in 2005 (and one could say the nadir of her popularity) Hilton had a 15 percent approval rating, according to Gallup.
Lawyers
As broad as the term may be, lawyers tallied a 29 percent approval rating during a Gallup poll this year.
Oil and gas industry
The oil and gas industry has a 20 percent approval rating this year, despite ongoing concerns over prices at the pump and the hazards of drilling.
Banks
In another broad categorization, Gallup polled America's approval of the banking industry to find that 23 percent give them the thumbs up this year.
BP during the Gulf oil spill
The catastrophic blowout at the BP Deepwater Horizon site in the Gulf of Mexico apparently wasn't as much of a blowout in 2010 as Congress is today, as 16 percent of Americans approved of BP during the crisis.
President Barack Obama
It may not seem like it at times, but 46 percent of voters at least slightly approve of the job that Obama's doing up at the White House, according to the latest Rasmussen daily poll.
Congress does two things exceptionally well. 1) Nothing 2) over react.
Edited from UPI.Com 11/21/2011
Friday, November 11, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Obamacare...from craddle to grave
Breaking News…
October 12, 2011 3:30 PM
(Owosso, Michigan) – If you live in the area of Owosso, Michigan, “Chances are you or a loved one has been cared for by Memorial Healthcare, with a 150-bed hospital, a comprehensive emergency room, two urgent care centers, outpatient rehabilitation centers, satellite primary care and specialty medical offices, and a cancer/endoscopy center, Memorial Healthcare provides high quality preventative, acute and rehabilitative care close to home.” But now the facility will be adding to their range of health services for truly “birth to grave one stop health approach.” That was announced today by James Full, President & CEO of Memorial Healthcare.
This comes in the wake of changes to our national healthcare system and the passage of the Healthcare Affordability Act, otherwise known as “Obamacare.” Full went on to say, “We are the first hospital system in the country to gain approval of adding ‘after live’ services to the healthcare experience.” The hospital will now offer federally assisted “post life” services to all who qualify under the plan. A board of 3 judges and 3 alternates will serve to determine the suitability and range of services for these new post life services to include, but not limited to, final life expenses. Deductibles and co-pays may apply.
In making the announcement, at their new Healthcare, Rehabilitation and Casket facility, Full had this to say, “These are tremendous achievements for our entire organization, but more importantly, they speak to our focus to use our expertise and technology to improve quality of care, patient flow and ‘final’ outcomes.”
When contacted, area funeral homes (who did not want to be identified) all were taken back by this new development. One said that the hospital administrator was, “Full of it” in thinking that the hospital could ultimately compete for these services. Most agreed that there was a “conflict of interest” with this full service concept.
Most area residents were ambivalent to the concept, when asked. But there still seems to be a difference of political opinion on the issue. Elected Democrats responded, “The economy is in the tank and the government has got to bail the little guy out. It’s just governments’ role to give it all too each and every one of us!” Republican elected officials in Washington are waiting and watching to see if they get a favorable US Supreme Court ruling to rescind major portions of “Obamacare” stating “We just don’t have spine to stop all this craziness and the Presidential Election is still over a year away!”
…Mike, wake up! Uh, ah, what? Whew, I just had a terrible dream about Memorial Healthcare getting in the funeral business under the new healthcare laws. What a nightmare. Wonder what prompted my brain to think of that?...
A picture can be worth a thousand words! ...or one good nightmare!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Michigan Winter Weather Forecast, Cold & Snowy… WTF?
AccuWeater, Long-Range Meteorologist Paul Pastelok, says about the upcoming winter, “It's going to start fast. By the Thanksgiving holiday, we're going to see pretty good lake effect kick in, and it probably doesn't end through the Christmas holiday.” Well for anyone who lives there (or has ever lived there), isn’t this what always happens? Don’t you expect it to be cold and snowy between Thanksgiving and Christmas? …and then everyone understands that it will not end until sometime around Easter!
Somehow this year they say the winter “is going to be an exceptional one.” “Michiganders are going to need to get their snow shovels ready early, ‘cause they’re going to need them for the harsh winter being forecasted for much of lower Michigan, the entire Great Lakes, and especially Chicago.” In fact, according to AccuWeater.com, “People in Chicago are going to want to move after this winter as snow and cold will be unusually harsh there, this year!” I think these weather forecasters underestimate the people who live in the “Windy City”, or any place else in the Midwest, for that matter. They are used to experiencing the harsh winds off Lake Michigan and cold and snowy winters!
Pastelok is predicting that Michigan’s southwest corner, and up to Traverse City, should prepare for early season snow, fueled by cold northwest winds crossing warm Lake Michigan waters. “The thing with Michigan is that there’s going to be three types of systems, clipper style, lake effect and then late-in-the-season storms, all adding up to extra snow.” He adds, “Great Lakes snow buildup could act to prolong the colder-than-normal weather beyond February and into early spring.” The National Weather Service (NWS) says, “Stay tuned!” Their predictions are due out in mid-October. They tell us that we are in a “La Niña” weather pattern. La Niña is a naturally occurring climate phenomenon where cooler-than-average Pacific Ocean temperatures influence global weather patterns. It typically occurs every three to five years, they say.
So, where does this leave me? I feel like Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind. “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn! (…unless I have to make a last minute trip back to Michigan this winter!)" But, really, we’re just getting over the hottest summer on record in Phoenix of over 110 degree days, so I’m looking forward to a cool down. The difference is I do not have to shovel any sunshine in the winter! Whiskey, Tango, Foxtrot!
If it gets too cold for my friends back in Michigan this winter; come on out to Arizona for a warm up. It’s quite pleasant all winter long!
Weather graphics courtesy AccuWeather.com
Saturday, September 3, 2011
Moose...taste like chicken?
Today my youngest son, Rob who lives in Alaska, went out on the second day of moose hunting season. Looking for that large lumbering animal you see all the time in Alaska. Well, see all the time, except in hunting season! These creatures are so huge that you wonder how they are able to negotiate thick wooded areas.
You will be driving down the highway when all of a sudden a moose will appear on the side of the road, seemingly from nowhere! It may mosey across the road in front of you, or turn and walk back into the woods, and promptly vanish! How do they get those racks around the trees? The fact of the matter is, I haven't the foggiest idea. They are an enigma to me; almost like UFOs at Area 51.
But, wait a minute, moose are known to walk down the center of town in Alaska. As if they didn't have a care in the world. I saw one hanging out between townhouses right on base at Ft. Greely. How about grazing on the front lawn at the Administration Complex. However, when moose hunting season is in play; you have to head for the bush country and hunt them down! So, that is what Rob had to do this morning, seek out and hunt the moose down.
Being a proud parent, and wanting to give support to my son, I proudly posted the picture on my facebook page. One, to let everyone know of his achievement, and two 'cause I thought it was pretty exciting. Several posts from friends and family to congratulate him...but, one very interesting question. "What does moose taste like?"
Whenever someone asks that question about wild game, you know they have an idea that it tastes awful in their world. Been there myself a few times. So, my answer was the same one all parents use to tell kids when they ask this food question, "Taste like chicken!" Oh, the power of persuasion!
By the way...it taste like beef. Unless, someone tells you it is moose, then you try to convince yourself that it taste like chicken! The mind is a terrible thing to waste. So too, is a great moose roast.
Congratulations Rob!!!
You will be driving down the highway when all of a sudden a moose will appear on the side of the road, seemingly from nowhere! It may mosey across the road in front of you, or turn and walk back into the woods, and promptly vanish! How do they get those racks around the trees? The fact of the matter is, I haven't the foggiest idea. They are an enigma to me; almost like UFOs at Area 51.
But, wait a minute, moose are known to walk down the center of town in Alaska. As if they didn't have a care in the world. I saw one hanging out between townhouses right on base at Ft. Greely. How about grazing on the front lawn at the Administration Complex. However, when moose hunting season is in play; you have to head for the bush country and hunt them down! So, that is what Rob had to do this morning, seek out and hunt the moose down.
Being a proud parent, and wanting to give support to my son, I proudly posted the picture on my facebook page. One, to let everyone know of his achievement, and two 'cause I thought it was pretty exciting. Several posts from friends and family to congratulate him...but, one very interesting question. "What does moose taste like?"
Whenever someone asks that question about wild game, you know they have an idea that it tastes awful in their world. Been there myself a few times. So, my answer was the same one all parents use to tell kids when they ask this food question, "Taste like chicken!" Oh, the power of persuasion!
By the way...it taste like beef. Unless, someone tells you it is moose, then you try to convince yourself that it taste like chicken! The mind is a terrible thing to waste. So too, is a great moose roast.
Congratulations Rob!!!
Friday, September 2, 2011
The New Office Status Symbol - A Standing Desk!
Jim Carlton/The Wall Street Journal
The stories cited medical studies that tied excessive sitting to increased obesity and other health problems because of factors including a drop in physical activity. A 2010 study by the American Cancer Society found that women who sat more than six hours a day were 37% more likely to die prematurely than women who sat for less than three hours, while the early-death rate for men was 18% higher. The American College of Cardiology released a study in January that found increased mortality among people who sat longer at home than those who didn't. No one seems to compile statistics on the standing-desk trend. But anecdotal reports suggest Silicon Valley is embracing the movement.
![[VALLEY2]](http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/SF-AB081_VALLEY_G_20110831191331.jpg)
Facebook employees Kristen Dallara and Greg Hoy
Facebook employees Kristen Dallara and Greg Hoy say they manage to stay more alert by not sitting down all day. Silicon Valley's newest status symbol is a humble piece of furniture. A growing number of workers at Google Inc., Facebook Inc. and other employers are trading in their sit-down desks for standing ones, saying they feel more comfortable and energized. They also are motivated by medical reports saying that sitting for too long leads to increased health risks.
A standing desk sits high off the floor so a worker can either stand at it or sit on a high stool to use it. Officials at Palo Alto-based Facebook say a number of employees asked about standing desks after news articles were published about the health risks of sitting all day. 
Facebook officials say they have seen an upsurge in requests for standing desks to five to eight a week with a total of between 200 and 250 deployed at the company of more than 2,000 employees. Facebook also is trying out a treadmill station—where a worker can walk or run on a treadmill while tapping at a computer.
Google spokesman Jordan Newman said that "many employees at Google opt for standing desks, and we offer them as part of our wellness program" though he said he didn't know the exact number.
Greg Hoy, 39 years old, asked for a standing desk shortly after joining Facebook seven months ago as a design recruiter. "I don't get the 3 o'clock slump anymore," he said. "I feel active all day long."
Tiffani Jones Brown, 29, said she also requested a standing desk when she joined Facebook two months ago as a content strategist, in part to keep her energy level high. "I get really tired when I sit all day," Ms. Jones Brown said.
There is a learning curve to using standing desks, however. Ms. Jones Brown said that at first it was hard for her to concentrate on writing tasks because she was focused on things like maintaining correct posture. Other stand-up workers use tricks to not be bothered by being on their feet most of the day. "I kind of move my legs around, no real position," said Kirk Everett, one of two standing workers in the 21-employee offices of the Silicon Valley Leadership Group in San Jose, a tech industry trade association.
Mr. Everett is a pioneer in standing desks, having gotten one seven years ago to help recover from a back injury. He said he could never go back. "It is so much better," said Mr. Everett, vice president of government relations for the trade group. "Staying seated all day is your enemy."
Write to Jim Carlton at jim.carlton@wsj.com
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Hot As H...E..double hockey sticks!
The Blazing Phoenix Sun setting in the west
PHOENIX - Lack of monsoon rainfall and an unusually intense high pressure system to our east have contributed to the warmest period on record at Sky Harbor International Airport.
This has led to a record-breaking month! In fact, August 2011 will go down as the hottest August on record -- of all time.
On top of that, August ties July 2009 as the hottest month ever on record in Phoenix. The average daily temperature (average of highs and lows) was 98.3 degrees which ties that of July 2009. The normal for August is 93.6.
In August 2011, the average high temperature was 109 degrees, breaking the old record of 107.3 set in 1962. The average low temperature was 87.5 degrees, breaking the old record of 86.1 set in 2007.
In addition, we broke several other records:
On August 26, 2011 we hit a high of 117! That broke the all-time record high ever recorded in the month of August at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. The previous August record was 116 set on August 10, 2003, August 4, 1973, and August 1, 1972.
We have already tied or broken 14 records in August -- seven record highs and seven record warm lows.
Our 110+ degree days also are not letting up. We have seen 31 days at or above 110 so far this year, well above the average of 18. The record is 32 days set back in 2007 and it looks like we will break that record by the end of the week, with more 110+ days in the forecast.
This has led to a record-breaking month! In fact, August 2011 will go down as the hottest August on record -- of all time.
On top of that, August ties July 2009 as the hottest month ever on record in Phoenix. The average daily temperature (average of highs and lows) was 98.3 degrees which ties that of July 2009. The normal for August is 93.6.
In August 2011, the average high temperature was 109 degrees, breaking the old record of 107.3 set in 1962. The average low temperature was 87.5 degrees, breaking the old record of 86.1 set in 2007.
In addition, we broke several other records:
On August 26, 2011 we hit a high of 117! That broke the all-time record high ever recorded in the month of August at Sky Harbor Airport in Phoenix. The previous August record was 116 set on August 10, 2003, August 4, 1973, and August 1, 1972.
We have already tied or broken 14 records in August -- seven record highs and seven record warm lows.
Our 110+ degree days also are not letting up. We have seen 31 days at or above 110 so far this year, well above the average of 18. The record is 32 days set back in 2007 and it looks like we will break that record by the end of the week, with more 110+ days in the forecast.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Talk About Procrastination...
Fermat's Last Theorem, jotted in the margins of a ancient Greek mathematical text by Pierre de Fermat in 1637, vexed mathematicians for 358 years before it was solved.
I now have the perfect answer for my uncompleted work, (other than the dog ate it)! Click on the link below and read on, from the Christian Science Monitor...
Why Pierre de Fermat is the patron saint of unfinished business
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)